A FATHER-OF-THREE told a court he had been framed by a 14-year-old girl he is accused of raping.

Peter Graveling, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, who appeared at Teesside Crown Court, denied he raped and indecently assaulted the girl on October 9 last year.

He said he had gone to bed and fallen asleep, leaving the girl downstairs talking on her mobile phone, and that the next time he woke was when the police arrived.

The girl said she had gone to bed first to lie down, but was joined by Graveling, who insisted she removed her clothes before he attacked her.

Prosecutors said DNA evidence taken from Mr Graveling's genitals matched the girl's DNA, and that there was a one in a billion chance it could not be hers.

Under cross-examination, Mr Graveling said the only explanation he could give for the DNA evidence was that the girl had planted it on him.

He said: "I do believe she planted it and was coached by her boyfriend.

"This (the attack) did not happen. It was a good set-up by lots of people so I would lose my case."

Mr Graveling, of Bakewell Place, said he had not woken when the girl had planted the DNA on him because he was a heavy sleeper and had drunk almost a full bottle of wine.

He said the girl must have known about forensic science and DNA cellular movement from watching television.

He said: "It is common knowledge how to transfer cells. It is on the telly. I do not know what she did, I was asleep, but it must have happened." The trial continues.